‘Afirah ‘Abidah

‘Afirah ‘Abidah

One day, many pious persons went to her and asked her to make du‘a for them. She replied: “I am such a great sinner that if a person becomes dumb on account of sinning, I will not be able to speak,” (that is, I will become dumb). However, it is sunnah to make du‘a, therefore I will make du‘a.” Thereafter she made du‘a for all of them.

Lesson: Despite her being a great ‘abid and zahid, she humbled herself and considered herself to be a sinner. Today the situation is such that a person reads a few tasbîhs and considers himself to be a saint. Allah does not like haughtiness. You should therefore consider yourself to be low and think to yourself that thousands of shortcomings continue to be filled into you. When you make any ‘ibadah, think of these things as well and you will not consider yourself to be great anymore.